Delivery head for espresso coffee machines

ABSTRACT

A delivery head for espresso coffee machines comprises a top supporting element pivoted to a bottom supporting element in turn made rigid with the machine body, said bottom supporting element comprising an infusion recess provided for receiving a coffee holding capsule, said delivery head further comprising an operating lever operating at least one of the support elements to define at least an open position for loading and unloading the coffee capsule, and a coffee delivery closed position, said head including perforating means for progressively perforating the capsule and capsule ejecting means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an espresso coffee machine deliveryhead,

As is known conventional espresso coffee machines conventionallycomprise an infusion unit, designed for receiving a disposable or singleuse capsule filter including a cylindric body holding at least a groundcoffee portion.

More specifically, the infusion unit is supplied with pressurized hotwater, produced by hot water producing members housed in the machinebody.

In general, said infusion unit comprises a horizontal plate, on which isformed a guide allowing the capsule to slide from a loading position toan unloading position, by passing through an infusion middle position.

To accurately arrange the capsule at the infusion position, areconventionally used locating means, comprising two jaws arranged on theside of the guide and rotatively driven according to vertical axes, ascounterbiassed by respective spring elements.

The above mentioned mechanisms, used in prior espresso coffee machines,are affected by a lot of drawbacks due to pressurized water steam andcoffee powder.

In particular, among the above mentioned drawbacks, it is to bementioned the jammings to which the infusion units of the coffeemachines are subjected, and, more specifically, a not perfect sealingbetween the coffee capsule and its housing recess, during the infusionoperation.

Another drawback of prior infusion units is that the loading of thecoffee capsule is rather difficult to be performed and, sometimes,fails.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide a deliveryhead, particularly for espresso coffee machines, which is so designed asto fully overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of theinvention is to provide such a delivery head, in which the single-use ordisposable capsule loading and unloading operations can be performed ina very easy and safe manner, from a user standpoint.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such adelivery head assuring a perfect infusion of the coffee beverage.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentionedaim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become moreapparent hereinafter, are achieved by a delivery head for espressocoffee machines, characterized in that said delivery head comprises atop supporting element pivoted to a bottom supporting element, saidbottom supporting element being made rigid with a body of said machine;said bottom supporting element comprising an infusion recess, designedfor receiving a coffee holding capsule; said delivery head furthercomprises an operating lever which operates at least one of said supportelements to define at least an open capsule loading and unloadingposition, and a coffee delivery closed position, said head furtherincluding perforating means for progressively perforating said capsuleand capsule ejecting means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosureof a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, whichis illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example inthe accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, as longitudinally cross-sectioned, ofthe delivery head according to the invention, being shown in a deliveryposition thereof;

FIG. 2 is a further side elevation view, as partially longitudinallycross-sectioned, of that same delivery head, shown in a capsule ejectingposition thereof;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional front elevation view of the delivery head,shown in a delivery position thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of that same delivery head;

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevation view showing the delivery head, aslongitudinal cross-sectioned according to a section plane different fromthat of FIG. 1 and shown in a broken away condition;

FIG. 6 is a partially broken away side elevation view illustrating acoffee machine including the delivery head according to the presentinvention, being shown in a delivery position thereof;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the coffee machineduring a capsule ejecting operating step;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show three side cross sections of the bottomsupporting element, the top supporting element and the ejecting forkelement and, more specifically:

FIG. 8 shows a rest position of the ejecting fork element;

FIG. 9 shows an initial opening position of the top supporting element,the ejecting fork element being held in its rest position;

FIG. 10 shows a maximum opening position of the top supporting elementbefore disengaging the fork element upward driving means in which, atthe end of the coffee capsule unloading operation, the top supportingelement starts to disengage from the fork element which will return toits rest position by gravity;

FIG. 11 shows a bottom view of the elements illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9and 10 and, more specifically, said FIG. 11 clearly shows the two linearcams disengaging the fork element of the top supporting element duringan opening step.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures,the delivery head according to the present invention, which has beengenerally indicated by the reference number 1, can be applied to anespresso coffee machine, generally indicated by the reference number 2,including a base or bottom 3 and an upright 4.

Said upright comprises, in the inside thereof, driving devices designedfor driving said espresso coffee machine, said driving devicesincluding, in a per se known manner, a pressurized hot water source,supplying the delivery head.

According to the present invention, the delivery head 1 comprises a topsupporting element 6, pivoted, through a pivot pin 30, to bottomsupporting elements 5, in turn made rigid with the upright 4 of thecoffee machine.

As shown, the top supporting element 6 comprises a top cover 8, and thebottom supporting element 5 likewise comprises a bottom cover 7.

The bottom supporting element 5 comprises moreover a recess 9 providedfor housing, during the coffee delivery, and as it will become moreapparent hereinafter, a ground coffee holding capsule 10.

An operating or driving lever 11 is pivoted, through a pivot pin 31, tothe top supporting element 6 for driving it, so as to define at leasttwo operating positions: a first position closed on the bottomsupporting element for delivery coffee, and a second open position forloading and ejecting the coffee capsule 10.

The closed delivery position can be clearly seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6,whereas the capsule loading and ejecting open position can be clearlyseen in FIGS. 2 and 7.

More specifically, the delivery closed position is stably held so as toresist against the delivery pressure, by locking means including alocking lever 12 pivoted to the top supporting element 6 at a lockinglever pin 13 and having a hook shaped portion 14, affecting a lockingpeg 15, rigid with said bottom supporting element 5.

According to the present invention, the delivery head 1 comprisesdelivery means, including perforating means for progressivelyperforating the coffee capsule 10.

In particular, said delivery means comprise a delivery nozzle 16, formedin the bottom supporting element 5, at an outlet hole formed in thebottom of the coffee capsule 10 housing recess 9.

In this position, according to the invention, is arranged a bottomperforating assembly 17, preferably of circular cross-section taperingconfiguration, adapted to perforate the bottom of the coffee capsule 10.

Such a perforation is obtained as the coffee capsule 10 is pressedagainst the bottom perforating assembly 17, under the pressure providedby an overheated water flow, introduced into said coffee capsule 10, andproviding a downward directed pushing of the bottom wall of said coffeecapsule 10 against the bottom perforating assembling or element 17.

The perforating means comprise moreover a top perforating assembly orelement 18, having a quadrangular tapering cross-section, and beingcoupled to a support 19 for the top perforating element 18, in turncoupled to the top supporting element 6.

The support 19 for the top perforating element 18 comprises at least adelivery duct 20, adjoining the top perforating element 18, designed fordelivery pressurized water coming from the pressurized water generatingmembers of the coffee machine.

More specifically, the top perforating element or assembly 18 affectsthe top surface of the coffee capsule 10 to perforate it, as the head isclosed, to allow pressurized water supplied by the delivery duct 20 toenter the capsule 10.

Said capsule 10 comprises an outer film element, which can be perforatedby the top 18 and bottom 17 perforating elements or assemblies, andbeing provided with an inner rigid filtering construction holding theground coffee powder.

At the top thereof, the filtering rigid construction of the coffeecapsule or cartridge 10 comprises a plurality of channels allowing topwater entering the hole formed by the top perforating element 18 to bedistributed at the top.

Further, according to the present invention, the delivery head 1comprises moreover coffee capsule 10 ejecting means, including a capsuleejecting fork element 21 pivoted to the pivot pin 30 applied to thebottom supporting element 5 and including an annular portion 22 designedfor encompassing the top of the coffee capsule 10, which is suitablyprovided with a perimetrical bearing edge portion 23.

The delivery head 1 according to the present invention operates asfollows.

At the start, the delivery head 10 is arranged in an open position,shown for example in FIG. 2, in a ready condition for receiving a coffeecapsule or cartridge 10, which is partially engaged in the capsulerecess 9, to locate the powder capsule near the bottom perforatingassembly or element 17, without causing said perforating element 17 toperforate, at the start, the bottom surface of the coffee cartridge orcapsule 10.

Then, the head 1 is closed by actuating the lever 11 under a downwardpressure, to cause the top supporting element 6 to be closed on thebottom supporting element 5.

As the top supporting element 6 is closed on the bottom supportingelement 5, said top supporting element 18 will perforate the top surfaceof the coffee capsule or cartridge 10.

Then pressurized water is delivered which, through the delivery duct 20and the hole formed by the top perforating element 18 can enter thecoffee capsule and diffuse therethrough owing to the provision ofsuitable channels formed inside said capsule 10.

Thus, the overheated water pressure will cause a further perforation ofthe bottom surface of the capsule by the bottom perforating element 17,thereby said bottom surface is pressed downward against the bottomperforating element 17 in a subsequent operating step, with respect tothe perforation of the top surface of the coffee capsule 10.

In particular, water passes through the capsule 10 and exits thedelivery nozzle 16 thereby providing the coffee beverage, which iscollected in a cup or the like, not specifically shown.

At the end of the delivery operation, the top supporting element 6 israised by operating the lever 11 pivoted to the pivot pin 31.

In particular, as the top supporting element 6 is raised, also the forkelement 21 is raised owing to the provision of tooth elements formed onthe fork element 21 and cooperating with respective slanted planes orsurfaces of said top supporting element 6, which operate as linear cams40.

Thus, the fork element 21 will rise said capsule 10, by its annularportion 22, which engages at the bottom thereof the bearing perimetricaledge portion 23 of the capsule 10.

Upon achieving a set inclination, as is clearly shown in FIG. 2, thecapsule 10 will slide on the fork element 21 and, after having passedthe annular portion 22, will fall inside the fork element 21 and,through a specifically designed passage, will be collected in acollecting vessel formed in the upright 2.

Then, as the mentioned inclination is exceeded, the tooth element of thefork 21 will be disengaged from the slanted surfaces of the topsupporting element 6.

Accordingly, the fork element 21 can return to its starting position inwhich it abuts against the bottom supporting element 5.

The annular portion 22 thereof, in particular, will be arranged at thetop edge portion of the capsule 10 recess 9.

Thus, the coffee machine will be ready for delivery a new coffee cup.

It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim andobjects.

In fact, the invention provides a delivery head for espresso coffeemachines which is adapted to provide a perfect infusion of the coffeebeverage, and, moreover, being of very easy and safe operation.

In practicing the invention, the used materials, and the contingent sizeand shapes can be any, according to requirements and the status of theart.

1. A delivery head for espresso coffee machines, characterized in thatsaid delivery head comprises a top supporting element pivoted to abottom supporting element, said bottom supporting element being maderigid with a body of said machine; said bottom supporting elementcomprising an infusion recess, designed for receiving a coffee holdingcapsule; said delivery head further comprises an operating lever whichoperates at least one of said support elements to define at least anopen capsule loading and unloading position, and a coffee deliveryclosed position, said head further including perforating means forprogressively perforating said capsule and capsule ejecting means.
 2. Adelivery head, according to claim 1, characterized in that said topsupporting element comprises a top cover and said bottom supportingelement comprises a bottom cover.
 3. A delivery head, according to claim1, characterized in that said driving lever is pivoted to said topsupporting element for driving said top supporting element.
 4. Adelivery head, according to claim 1, characterized in that said closeddelivery position is stably held so as to resist against a deliverypressure, by locking means.
 5. A delivery head, according to claim 4,characterized in that said locking means comprise a locking leverpivoted to said top supporting element at a locking lever pivot pin, andhaving a hook portion operating on a locking peg rigid with said bottomsupporting element.
 6. A delivery head, according to claim 1,characterized in that said delivery means comprises a delivery nozzlecoupled at a bottom thereof to said bottom supporting element, at anoutlet hole formed through a bottom of said capsule recess.
 7. Adelivery head, according to claim 6, characterized in that in saidcapsule recess is arranged a bottom perforating element, having acircular tapering cross section, adapted to perforate the bottom of saidcapsule as said capsule is pressed against said bottom perforatingelement by an overheated water pressure, which operation is performedafter closing said head after having perforated a top surface of saidcapsule.
 8. A delivery head, according to claim 7, characterized in thata quadrangular cross-sectional pyramidal top perforating element coupledto a top perforating support in turn coupled to said top supportingelement is moreover provided.
 9. A delivery head, according to claim 8,characterized in that said top perforating supporting element comprisesat lest a delivery duct, adjoining said top perforating element, fordelivering pressurized water coming from pressurized water generatingelements of said coffee machine.
 10. A delivery head, according to claim9, characterized in that said top perforating element affects the topsurface of said capsule for perforating said top surface as said head isclosed, to allow pressurized water coming from a delivery duct to passto the inside of said capsule.
 11. A delivery head, according to claim1, characterized in that said capsule comprises an outer film to beperforated by said top and bottom perforating element, and comprising,in the inside thereof, a ground coffee holding filtering rigidconstruction.
 12. A delivery head, according to claim 11, characterizedin that said capsule rigid filtering construction comprises, at a topthereof, a plurality of channels for allowing hot water to bedistributed on the top, said water entering a hole formed by said topperforating element.
 13. A delivery head, according to claim 1,characterized in that said capsule ejecting means comprise a capsuleejecting fork element pivoted to a pivot pin applied to said bottomsupporting element and including an annular portion encompassing the topof said capsule.
 14. A delivery head, according to claim 13,characterized in that said fork element is adapted to be raised byraising said top supporting element, said fork element comprising aplurality of tooth elements formed therein and cooperating withrespective slanted surfaces of said top supporting element, said slantedsurfaces operating as linear cams.
 15. A delivery head, according toclaim 14, characterized in that said ejecting fork element, as said topsupporting element is at first opened, is held in a rest positionthereof.
 16. A delivery head, according to claim 1, characterized inthat upon unloading said capsule, said top supporting element starts todisengage from said fork element and returning, by gravity, to its restposition.
 17. A delivery head, according to claim 1, characterized inthat said delivery head comprises a plurality of linear cams disengagingsaid fork element from said top supporting element during an openingoperation.
 18. A delivery head, according to claim 1, characterized inthat said delivery head comprises an ejecting device designed forautomatically ejecting said capsule for introducing said capsule in anejected capsule vessel upon ending the coffee beverage deliveryoperation and upon raising said top supporting element.
 19. A deliveryhead, according to claim 1, characterized in that said capsule comprisesa perimetrical bearing edge portion.
 20. A delivery head, according toclaim 1, characterized in that said delivery head, in an open positionthereof, is ready for receiving a capsule which is partially engaged inthe capsule recess, thereby causing said capsule to abut near the bottomperforating element without causing said bottom perforating element toperforate, at least at the start, the bottom surface of said capsule.21. A delivery head, according to claim 1, characterized in that saiddelivery head is closed by operating said lever and providing a downwarddirected pressure to cause said top supporting element to be closed onsaid bottom supporting element.
 22. A delivery head, according to claim1, characterized in that, as said top supporting element is closed onsaid bottom supporting element, said top perforating element perforatesthe top surface of said capsule.
 23. A delivery head, according to claim1, characterized in that, after having closed said delivery head,overheated pressurized water, introduced into said capsule, causes aperforation of the bottom surface of said capsule by said bottomperforating element.
 24. A delivery head, according to claim 1,characterized in that, upon ending a delivery operation, said topsupporting element is raised by operating said lever, thereby alsoraising said fork element, due to the provision of said tooth elementformed on said fork element and cooperating with slanted surfaces ofsaid top supporting element.
 25. A delivery head, according to claim 24,characterized in that said fork element rises said capsule by saidannular portion thereof which engages at a bottom the perimetricalbearing portion of said capsule.
 26. A delivery head, according to claim24, characterized in that, upon achieving a set inclination, saidcapsule slides on said fork element and, after having passed saidannular portion, falls inside said fork element and, through a passage,is collected in a collecting vessel formed in said upright.
 27. Adelivery head, according to claim 26, characterized in that, afterhaving exceeded a set inclination of said fork element, said toothelements of said fork element are disengaged from said slanted surfacesof said top supporting element, thereby said fork element can return toits starting position, in abutment on said bottom supporting element,said annular portion thereof being arranged at said top edge portion ofsaid capsule recess.